In these days of major chain stores and the decline of retail independents, in this article we take a step back and tell the story of the Folsom Jewelry Store, which was located on the corner of North Main and Hampton Avenue in Sumter, South Carolina, in one of the city’s oldest and most historic buildings.

F. Haltom Folsom worked as a watchmaker for the Mason jewelry store until the American Civil War, when he entered the Confederate Army and served out the duration of the conflict. Returning home in 1868 he opened his own business under the name of ‘Folsom Jewelry Store’, and owned the building for twenty years until his death in 1888.

The business moved across the street at a later date, and again 16 years later into a building that was formerly part of the Rogers’ Grocery. 1905 was the year that Lawrence W. Folsom purchased this building at 101 North Main Street, and it would remain the home of the business until its closure some 50 years later.

When Lawrence Folsom died his son John Benjamin Folsom was the man to take over the daily running of the business. J.B. Folsom had worked in the store since he was 15 and had also attended the Bowman Watch Making School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, receiving a diploma.

J.B. Folsom hired a fellow graduate of the same school named R.M. Boykin and the business began to grow. J.B. Folsom served as director of the Retail Merchants Association and as president of the South Carolina Retail Jewelers Association. He was also a member of the Methodist church and a valued member of the Shrine business community.

Boykin worked as a watchmaker for Folsom’s for 16 years, whilst J.B. Folsom owned and ran the store for 37 years. During this time he remodeled the store, dividing it up and renting half to a Mr. Julian Levy.

J. B. Folsom, Jr. was working for the business as an engraver until he was called to duty at the beginning of World War II. He was sadly killed in a plane crash and Folsom’s ceased operation in 1955 after providing 87 years of service to the Sumter Community.

The store had stood for years as the best clock, jewellery and watch retailer in the Sumter area. At varying times it had sold other items that ranged from sewing machines to razors and fishing tackle. Many people in the town still remember the store, which had the patronage of a large percentage of the local population during its historic 87-year tenure.